FAQ

Physical therapy is a healthcare specialty that includes the evaluation, assessment, and treatment of individuals with limitations in functional mobility. These difficulties are often caused by pain, stiffness and/ or weakness. Physical therapy services are provided by physical therapists and physical therapy assistants, who are professionals licensed and certified by the state in which they work.

Do I Need Physical Therapy?

If you have an injury or illness that results in any type of limitation or loss of function, a physical therapist can help. At Browning Butler Physical Therapy we are able to treat patients across their entire lifespan, from newborns to seniors. Regardless of your age, if you are having difficulty with your daily activities or functional mobility, a physical therapy evaluation may be warranted to offer treatment and a strategy to improve function. Be sure to speak with your doctor if you feel you may need physical therapy.

How should I prepare for my first visit?

When you call to make your appointment, ask whether you should wear or bring a certain type of clothing when you come for your initial evaluation. Wear comfortable shoes that have good traction. You may need to wear loose clothing that will allow for the affected area to be seen, or the therapist may want you to try different movements or exercises. Wear comfortable shoes that have good traction.

We will begin by asking you lots of questions about your health and about the specific condition for which you are seeking physical therapy. Detailed information about you and your condition will help the us determine whether you are likely to benefit from physical therapy and which treatments are most likely to help you.

Bring a list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements that you are taking.

Write down any problems or symptoms you’ve been having and for how long they have been bothering you. If you have more than one symptom, begin with the one that is the most bothersome to you. For example, is your pain or symptom:

Getting better, worse or staying the same?

Better or worse with certain activities or movements or with certain positions, such as sitting or standing?

More noticeable at certain times of day?

Relieved or made worse by resting?

Think about any important personal information, including any recent stressful events, injuries, falls, or environmental factors that you believe might have contributed to your condition.

Make a list of any questions that you have, to make the best use of your time with your physical therapist. The therapist may give you written handouts, but you may also want to bring a notebook and pen to write information down.

What Will Happen During Physical Therapy Treatment?

Each session will begin with an assessment of your response to previous treatments and home exercises. Adjustments are continually made to your treatment plan to ensure you are making progress so each session may be different.

Browning Butler Therapists are trained to use a diverse range of techniques to help you decrease pain, decrease stiffness, improve motion and strength, and improve mobility. Manual techniques, including massage, are often used to help improve mobility. Physical agents known as modalities, such as heat, ice, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation may also be used. Patients are often instructed in home exercises that include therapeutic activities to help people gain range of motion, increase strength, and improve function.

Patient education about a condition or illness is also very important to the practice of physical therapy, and your therapists may use, handouts, models, and diagrams to help you understand your diagnosis and improve your recovery.

How long will I have to go to Physical Therapy?

This will be a decision made between you and your therapist. It will be discussed during your initial evaluation and will depend upon the extent of you limitations and expected outcomes. We will constantly assess your response to each treatment and will make adjustments as needed. We will continually recheck your progress and work with you to plan for your discharge from physical therapy when you are ready.

In most cases, an important aspect of your physical therapy treatment will be education. We might teach you special exercises to do at home, or learn new and different ways to perform your daily activities. If you are dedicated to these recommendations, your can significantly speed up your recovery.

How much will Physical Therapy cost?

It is ultimately your responsibility to know and understand what services are covered under your individual insurance policy.

Applicable deductibles and copayments will be requested prior to or upon completion of each appointment. This information is available in you insurance handbook or by calling the patient information number that is on the back of your card.

There is no charge for patients that are being seen through Worker’s Compensation or a No-Fault Claim.

If you feel that the frequency of visits needs to be adjusted for financial reasons, please discuss this directly with your therapist so you can explore alternatives and develop a workable plan.

If you change insurance plans or lose insurance coverage for any reason, be sure to inform your therapist as well as the clinic’s front office staff.